Engine starter



June 10, 1941-. J, B, DYER 2,245,436

ENGINE STARTER n Original Filed Aug. r19, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MN. kh. row.

ENGINE STARTER Griginal Filed Aug. 19. 1935 4 vSheets-Sheet. 2

w 3k, 0M `,5 JQ 3 5 M w 6 j 5 @3 6 k3 M w A lNvENToR fy@ T0734, ATTORNEY] June 1o, 1941. J, BQ DYER 2,245,436

ENGINE STARTER Original Filed Aug. 19, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 35' 27 64, 7 Y 26 A 5/ Z6' 42 "i 39 i9- 4 I HHH ,imi

7 2 ZlgN/ITOR n am )Mm H/ ATTORNEW J. B. DYER ENGINE STARTER June 1o, 1941..v

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 19, 1935 .5i 70 7.9 /zg /Z INV "hans" Patented .inne 1Q, i941 Fries poration of Delaware Application August 19, 1935, Serial No. 36,8% Renewed September 19, 1936 31 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for starting internal combustion engines.

The objects of the invention are chiefly to provide an engine starter which is eiicient, durable and quiet in operation and which is economical to construct. According to the disclosed embodiment of my invention these objects are accomplished by. providing friction drive between the engine to be started and the starting motor, said drive Ycomprising a disc or annular ange associated with the engine ily-wheeler other member connected with the engine crank shaft and a pair of driving discs which are `d:iven by the starting motor and which are engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc. means operating independent of the motor for causing the driving discs to move into engagement with the driven disc before the motor operates and means which responds to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure suflicient for driving rengagement between the starting motor and the engine, said pressure being released when the engine becomes self operating so that the engine may run free of the starting motor and the motor will not be driven by Ithe engine, As will be more apparent hereinafter, the shock or abnormal strain attendant upon establishment of connections between the starting motor and the engine has been minimized, and, consequently, the operation of the starter drive mechanism has been made more quiet, so that the durability as well as reliability of the starter drive mechanism has been greatlyimproved.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side view partly in section showing a preferred embodiment of the invention in its normal condition.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a starting apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram thereof.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. l showing the apparatus in two positions prior to rendering the starting motor operative.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partly in section, this view being taken in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 'l-'l of Fig. 4.

My invention includes Fig. Sis afragmentary sectional View on the line 3-8 of Fig..5..

Figs. 9, l and l1 are diagrammatic views corresponding respectivelyto Figs. 14 and 5.

The motor for starting the internal combustion enginev is preferably an electric motor comprising eld frame 2l` associated with an end frame 22 and a housing 23 which carry bearings 2st and 25, respectively, for the motor armature shaft. 26 which carries an armature 2l.

Referring now particularly to Figs. land 2 the shaft 2t carries a sleeve Sil which is spiined at 3l to the shaft so that the sleeveis at alltimes drivingly connected with theshaft 26, but may slide thereon to a limited extent.V The left handend of the sleeve ,38 shown more particularly in, Fig. 6 isprovided with diametrically opposite longitudinally extending notches 32, which receive respectively tongues or lugs 33 which vextend inwardly from the lhub of a yoke member 3@ Which is mounted upon thesieeveil. t Theyoke 34 isprovided with arms 35 which are apertured to receive bearing pins 36 which are diametricallyaligned with respect `to the sleeve andwhichextend P yinto diametrically opposite holes 3l provided by the sleeve titl. 'Each of the pins carries a roller Sserving asv aeam fcllowerfor a purpose to be described. The yolgelfi, is Vsecured in positionas shown in Fig'. 2 by nut 39 cooperating withthe threaded left en d it@ of the sleeve Si). A Alocking washer il is located between the nut 3d and the hub of the yoke Sil. Thus the yoke 34 is drivingly connected withV the sleeve 3i)k throughA the lugs 33 ofV the yoke Stand ,throughy the pins` 36. rlhe sleeve til is urged against the end of the bearing 2E Aby spring ,Q2 which surrounds the armature shaft 2,5v and which is` located between the armature Elend the threaded en d @tof the sleeve el). l The sleeve Sil supports a second sleeve 5t which carrieson lits exterior a multiple screw thread of long lead comprising helical threads 5l which are shown in` cross-sectional View in Fig. 7. The helical threads 5l cooperate with a nut which is provided by the inwardly extending annular ange 52* of a collar 53 having an outwardly extending flange 5t'. The sleeve 5l) isy provided with two shoulder' portions. The right hand shoulder portionA is provided by a spring ring 55 which is snapped into an interrupted groove cut into the threads 5l near the right hand end thereof. The left hand stop is provided by a ring 56 secured to the sleeve 59. A helical spring El surrounds sleeve 5t and is located between ring 56 and flange 52 of sleeve 5t. Spring 5l urges the sleeve 53 until it engages the stop 55. Sleeve is provided with a pair of cams which respectively cooperate with the pair of rollers 33. Each of these cams include a surface Sie of greater pitch and a surface el of lesser pitch. As shown best in Fig. 9 the surface te of each of these cams is separated from the surface Si of the other of these cams by a projection which limits movement of a roller 33 in one direction relative to the cam E.

The function of the sleeve 53 is to receive a longitudinal sliding movement and to effect rotary movement of the sleeve 5i. In order to prevent rotation of the sleeve 53 while it is imparting the rotary movement of the sleeve 5e, sleeve 53 is provid-ed with a pair of diametrically opposite lugs et adapted to engage the sides of the yoke arms 35 the point of engagement being indicated at 64X in Fig. 6. The longitudinal sliding movement of the sleeve 53 is effected by means which operates independently of the starting motor. This means comprises a shifting lever le having at its upper end an elongated hole or slot ll' which receives a pin 'l2 carried by bifurcated bracket 'i3 integral with a Z-shaped bracket Eli attached to an eiectromagnet frame l5 mounted upon the motor frame 2|. A spring it surrounds a stud ll attached to the bracket l' and urges the upper end of the lever le against the pin 12. The lower end of the lever l@ is bifurcated in construction so as to provide two arms i8 each carrying a pin or stud iii for engaging the annular flange ed of the collar 53.

The lever le is actuated electromagnetically by means which will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. The electromagnet frame 'l5 is preferably carried by the motor eld frame 2|.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, magnet frame 'l5 encloses electromagnet windings eil and 8l surrounding a movable solenoid armature 82 guided by the magnet frame l5 for a sliding movement toward a stationary core 83 which is located in the magnetic ux circuit of the electromagnet. The armature e2 is connected by a link 86 with the lever lo. Armature 82 is associated with a rod 85 upon which is mounted a nonconducting collar 6 yieldingly urged by spring Sl against a shoulder 8S, the spring 8l being conned between the collar Sii and a washer S9 held from moving toward the right by a pin et. A spring el located between a stationary part Q2 and the rod '35 normally maintains the rod S and the armature S2 in the normal position as shown in Fig. 3.

The collar dii carries a movable switch contact 95 adapted to engage with contacts 98 and Si of the starting motor switch. Contact 95 is connected by wire Si: at a switch terminal ed. Ccntact lll is connected with the starting motor 253 which is grounded at lod. Terminal 99 is connected with storage battery lii grounded at 52. Terminal St may be connected simultaneously with terminals w3 and i'l by a movable contact 1&5. Terminal loe is connected with contact i of an automatic switch having also a terminal till connected with windings 86 and 8l,

il being connected with contact @l and Sil being grounded at let. This automatic switch, designated in its entirety by numeral lill, comprises a suction chamber lil connected by pipe ||2 with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. One wall of the chamber il is provided by a diaphragm lit which is attached to switch contact llt, said contact being normally in engagement with contacts |96 and im, said engagement being eifected through the action of a spring i5 located so as to press the diaphragm I i3 downwardly as viewed in Fig. 3.

The driving connection between the armature shaft 26 and the engine is effected by a pair of drive discs which are adapted to engage with opposite sides of a driven disc provided by the engine. This driven disc may take the form of an annular flange |25) extending from the periphery of the engine fly-wheel |2i which is indicated in Fig. 8. The disc which engages the right hand face of the driven flange l2@ is provided by the shoulder |22 of the sleeve 3l). The driving disc which engages the left hand side of the driven disc |29 is provided with the shoulder |23 of the sleeve 5i).

As stated before, this invention embraces the feature of causing the driving discs |22 and |23 to be moved into engagement with the driven disc |29 before operating the starting motor 28. This is accomplished by means independent of the motor, namely, the electromagnet means shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3. The manner in which the driving discs are caused to engage the driven discs will now be described particularly with respect to Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

To start the engine the operator turns the switch contact |55 so as to cause it to engage the contact w3 and the contact led. The ignition is thenl turned on, the ignition circuit being connected with the terminal |53 which is then connected with the battery IEM. The terminal then being also connected with battery il, current will ow from the battery Ii through the windings 8i? and 8|, the former being directly grounded at |8 and the latter being indirectly grounded through the motor 2i). The electromagnet windings Se and 3| being energized, the armature 82 will move toward the left thereby causing the lever 'lil to move to swing toward the left in a clock-wise direction around its pivot l2. Buring the movement of the lever TE! the contact e5 will be moving toward contacts 96 and 97 but before engagement of these contacts actually occurs the driving discs |22 and |23 will be brought into engagement with the driven disc die in a manner which will be apparent from a consideration of Figs. 9, 10 and 11. As lever lli swings toward the left carrying with it the studs l', the sleeve 53 will be moved first from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to that shown in Fig. e and the sleeve flange 52 will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. l0. For purpose of illustrating the movement which takes place, one of the short, wide v helical threads provided by the ilange 52 is shown in section 52X in Figs. 9, l0 and l1. As the thread moves toward the left it is prevented from rotating in the direction in which it would tend to rotate when in engagement with threads 5| of sleeve 5l) due to the fact that extensions 64 of collar 53 engage at 54X with yoke arms 35 as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, owing to the mass of the shaft 26 and the parts rotatable therewith, the inertia against rotation causes the shaft 26 to remain stationary during movement of the collar flange 52 toward the left from the normal position shown in Fig. 9. thread 52X moves longitudinally toward the left but does not rotate after the projection 64 has engaged the yoke'arm 35. Therefore, longitudinal movementI of the collar flange 52 toward the left causes the sleeve 5U to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as Viewed in the direction of the arrow SeX in Fig. 9. Since the rollers 38 tend to Therefore, the flange remain stationary due to the inertia of the armature shaft and parts associated therein, this counter-clockwise rotation of the sleeve 50 causes the sleeve to be moved toward the right along sleeve 32 due to the camming action between camming surfaces 60 and 0I and rollers 38. This results ilrst in the engagement between the driving disc 23 and the left hand face of the driven disc 20 as shown in Fig. 10. This movenient has been eifected due to the cooperation between the rollers 38 and the cams 60 of greater pitch.

Continued movement of the lever 10 toward the left, before the motor switch closes, causes the roller flange 52 to be moved from the position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in Fig. 11, thereby causing further rotation ofthe sleeve 50 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the arrow 50X. Since the driving disc |23 or" sleeve 50 has already `engaged the driven disc |20, sleeve 50 cannot move any further toward the right. Hence the cam 6| cooperates with the roller 3S in a manner such as to cause the sleeve 30 to move toward the left against the action of the spring 42. In doing so the driving disc |22 of the sleeve 30 is caused to move toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in Fig. 1l until it engages the driven disc |20. After this occurs the lower end of the lever 10 cannot move any further toward the left.

Continued motion of the solenoid armature 82 toward the left to close contacts 05, 96 and Si may take place by reason of the fact that there is lost motion between the upper end of the lever 'l2 and the pivot bearing '12. Just before these contacts are closed, the spring lo is heid by the solenoid armature 32 under compression, so that yielding pressure is applied between rollers 79 and collar flange 55. Therefore, it is only after the driving discs have been brought into engagement with the driven discs under yielding pressure that the motor switch contact 95 is caused to engage the stationary contacts 90 and 9i. When this occurs the motor 20 operates to turn the shaft 26. 'Ihe winding i is then short circuited and winding 00 only is effective to hold the motor switch closed. Winding 80 comprises preferably a large number of turns of fine wire and winding 0| fewer turns of coarser wire. Both windings are necessary to attract the armature 82 initially toward the core S3 but winding 80 only is required to maintain the armature B2 in its attracted position. The starting motor then will operate to cause the shaft 26 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed looking in the direction of arrow 50X of Fig. 9. At the instant the motor starts to turn the shaft 26, the driving discs |22 and |23 being then in engagement with the driven disc |20 and the driving disc 22 being directly splined to the shaft 26 the driving disc |22 tends to run ahead of the driving disc |23 and the roller 38 tends to run ahead of the cam as viewed in Fig. l1. This tendency of the roller 38 to run up along the cam 6| tends to wedge the driving disc |23 against the driven disc |20 and the driving disc |22 against the driven disc |20.

Thus in response to the operation of the electric motor in turning the shaft 26 the driving discsY |22 and |23 are caused to press against the driven disc |20 with pressure sufficient to insure a driving engagement between the electric motor and the engine for engine starting purposes. Hence the electric motor is drivingly connected with theengine and will start the latter. This driving engagement has been effected noiselessly due-*to the fact that means independent of the motor have been employed for moving the driving discs against the driven disc before the motor is connected with the current source. Then when the motor is caused to operate it produces noiselessly apressure between the driving and driven discs sufficient for engine starting purposes.

When the engine becomes self operative and attains a speed such that the linear speed of the driven disc |20 as effected by the engine exceeds the linear speed of the driving discs |22 Vand |23 as eifected by the starting motor, driving engagement' between the driving and driven discs of the starter drive is automatically released. This is accomplished due to the fact that as the driven disc |20 tends to run ahead of the driving discs |22 and |23, the rollers 38 tend to run downwardly along the cam surfaces 6i as viewed in Fig. 11, for example. After the engine starts the electromagnet is automatically cle-energizedl by the opening of the automatic switch H0. The suction produced in the engine intake when op erating will be sufficient to raise the diaphragm ||3 against the action of the spring IE5, thereby separating contact lill from contacts |05 and |01.. The spring 0| will then be released to effect movementcf the parts 85, 82, 22 and 'l0 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 3. The spring 18 will also be released so as to move the upper end of the lever 'lil toward the right returning it to its normal position as shown in Fig. 1. In this way the engine starter drive parts are restored to normal position as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 9.

While the electromagnet is energized and the spring 'i6 is being held in a state of compression greaterv than normal, the rollers 35i are being urged by yielding pressure aiforded by the springr 1E in such direction as to cause the driving discs |22 and |23 to engage with driven discs |20 with yielding pressure. This is .desirable first for the purpose of compensating for wear of the friction surfaces of the driving and driven discs. There is another purpose which is important. lf the engine should make a weak or false start and fail to attain a speed sufficient to insure self operation, the spring 16 being then held under the pressure greater than normal by the electromagnet, the roller 19 at the lower ends of the arms of lever 10 will press yieldingly toward the left upon the collar flange 54, thereby causing the threads 52X at collar flange 52 to press yieldingly upon the helical threads. 5| of sleeve 50. Actuating force is thereby stored in the spring 'i6 which tends to maintain a cooperative relation between the rollers 38 and the cam surfaces 6| so' that, if there is any tendency to relieve pressure between the driving and driven discs during a false or weak start of the engine, the rollers 38 will be urged almost instantaneously into a cooperative relation with the cam surfaces 5| so that due to the operation of the motor the wedging' action between the driving and driven discs will be repeated. In other words, the spring i3 forms a function analogous to that performed in the conventional one way or overrunning clutch by the springs which are provided each for urging aclutch roller into wedging engagement between the clutch cam and the clutch shell. Ihus when the engine attempts to start on its own power and tends to release the driving engagement between the driving and driven discs and then fails toi attain a speed sufficient to maintain self operation, the starting motor drive is at all times ready to back up the load of cranking the engine instantaneously;

The electromagnetic means which operates independent of the motor to cause the driving discs to be pressed against the driven discs before the motor is operated is not only a convenient means for preconditioning the starter drive but is one which is well adapted to cooperate with the starter drive of this type. It requires a relatively small force to move the driving disc |23 from its position shown in Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 10 where it engages the driven disc l'il and it requires a substantially greater force to move the driving disc |22 into engagement with the driven disc 120 and to eect compression of spring 'Hl beyond its normal state of compression. The electromagnetic device is well adapted to provide the actuating forces which are required. At first the attraction upon the solenoid armature 82 is relatively small but the force required to move the driving disc l23 toward the right is relatively small. As.

the solenoid armature 82 approaches the core S3 the attraction increases greatly to give the necessarily greater force required to move the driving disc |22 against the driven disc i2@ and to compress the spring 'iii beyond its initial state. It is also necessary that the starter switch Contact 95 be pressed against the stationary contacts de and S1 with a pressure sufficient to insure a good electrical contact. The electromagnet is also well adapted to give this nal pressure which is needed between the starter contacts in the starter switch. During nal movement of the solenoid armature 32 toward the left when the air gap between the armature and core is closing up the pull upon the armature increases tremendously and is suicient not only to effect the desired movements of the engine starter drive but also to compress the spring 8l beyond its initial state of compression and to force movable contact 95 firmly against 'the stationary contacts 96 and 97.

The electromagnet is so constructed as to effect a pull on the armature 82 sufficient to make good electrical contact between the contacts in the starter switch. The magnetic pull required for closing the switch properly is greater than that sucient for preconditioning the engine starter drive prior to actual operation of the motor. As undue pressure between the driving discs and the driven disc prior to operation of the motor is as undesirable as insufficient pressure the spring 'i6 operates while the motor switch is closed to limit the force which can be applied by the electromagnet to the shifting lever Iii. The spring 16 is so designed that upon being deflected a certain distance by the armature SZ when closing the motor switch the spring will exert the proper force upon the lever 'lil tending to rotate it clockwise about its pivotal connection with the link 84 In this way the spring 16 operates not only as a spring exerting yielding pressure upon the shifting collar flange e for the purposes herein specified but spring 1&5 operates also as a means for limiting the amount of pressure which can be effected by the electromagnet.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a pair of driving discs driven by the motor and engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc, means independent of the motor for caus.

. ing the driving di'scs'to 'engage the driven disc,

and means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure sufficient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative.

2. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with thev engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, means independent of the motor for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc, and means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure sufficient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative.

3. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, one of said driving discs being splined to the shaft, means independent of the motor for causing the other driving disc td rotate relative to the shaft, and a cam-and-follower means interconnecting the driving discs so constructed and arranged that rotation of said other driving disc by said independent means causes both driving discs to engage thel driven disc prior to motor operation, and motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure suiicient for driving engagement.

4. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of ldriving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the rst sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufcient for driving engagement, and means independent of the motor for causing the first sleeve to rotate.

5. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the rst sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the rst sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient for driving engagement, a collar surrounding the second sleeve, a spring surrounding the second sleeve and positioned between the collar and second sleeve, a connection between said collar and second sleeve such that axial movement of the collar effects rotation of the second sleeve, and means for moving the collar axially.

6. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a pair of driving discs driven by the motor and engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc, means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transmitting provisions for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc, and means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure suicient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative.

7. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transn mii-,ting provisions for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc, and means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure suicient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative.

8. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, one of said driving gage the driven disc prior to motor operation, and

motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufcient for driving engagement.

9. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the secn ond sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient for driving engagement, and means independent of the motor and including' yielding motion transmitting provisions for causing the first sleeve Vto rotate.

10. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the rst sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the .driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient for driving engagement, a collar surrounding the second sleeve, a spring surrounding the second sleeve and positioned between the collar and second sleeve, a connection between said collar and second sleeve such that axial movement of the collar effects rotation of the second sleeve, and. means including yielding motion transmitting provisions for moving the collar axially.

1l. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a pair of driving discs driven by the motorand engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc, means independent of the motor for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc, means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc With a pressure sufcient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative, and means responsive to self actuation of the engine for rendering inoperative said means which operates independently of the motor.

12. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis `parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven` .discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure sufficient for driving engagement, said pressure being relieved when the engine becomes self operative, and means responsive to self actuation of the engine for rendering inoperative said means which operates independently of the motor.

;v follower means interconnecting the driving discs so constructed and arranged that rotation of said other driving disc by said independent means causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc prior to motor operation, and motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufiicient for driving engagement, and means responsive to self actuatlon of the engine for rendering inoperative said means which opera-tesi independently of the motor.

14.-. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaftdriven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby andslidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the nrst sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure suflicient for driving engagement, means independent of the motor for causing the first sleeve to rotate, and means responsive to self actuation of the engine for rendering inoperative said means which operates independently of the motor.

15. In an engine starter, the combination of a driven disc connected with the engine, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor and having its axis parallel to the axis of the driven disc, a pair of driving discs mounted on the shaft to be driven thereby and slidable thereon, a sleeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam-and-follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufiicient for driving engagement, a collar surrounding the second sleeve, a spring surrounding the second sleeve and positioned between the collar and second sleeve, a connection between said collar and second sleeve such that axial movement of the collar effects rotation of the second sleeve, means for moving the collar axially, and means responsive to self actuation of the engine for rendering the collar moving means inoperative.

16. In an engine starter drive, two axially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven disc connected with the engine, means for positively connecting one of the driving discs with a starting motor, and meansinterconnecting the two discs so constructed and arranged that rotation in a certain direction of the disc not positively connected with the starting motor relative to the other disc causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and that the tendency of the driving disc positively connected with the motor to `rotate, when driven by the motor, ahead of the other driving disc will cause both driving discs to be urged against said driven disc with pressure suicient for engine starting purposes, and` that this pressure will be relieved when the engine starts, and means for effecting rotation of the disc not positively connected with the motor in said certain direction relative to the other driving disc.

17. In an engine starter drive, two axially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven disc connected with the engine. a sleeve splinedly connected with the shaft of a starting motor and carrying one of the driving discs, a second sleeve rotatable and slidable upon the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, and means interconnecting the two sleeves so constructed and arranged that rotation in a certain direction of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and that the tendency of the first sleeve to rotate, when driven by the motor, ahead of the second sleeve will cause both driving discs to be urged against said driven disc with pressure sufcient for engine starting purposes, and that this pressure will be relieved when the engine starts, and means for effecting rotation of the second sleeve in said certain direction relative to the first sleeve.

18. A starter drive for an internal combustion engine and adapted to be operated by a starting motor, comprising a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by a starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, means other than the' motor to move the driving discs into position to engage the driven disc, and means operable in response to operation of the starting motor for forcing the driving discs against the driven: disc with a pressure suncient to drive the engine, said means being constructed so as to relieve the pressure of the driving discs on the driven disc when the engine becomes self-operative.

19. A starter drive for internal combustion ene gines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably suported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, and being adapted to be moved into engagement with the driven disc by means operable independently of the starting motor, means operable in response to the operation of the starting motor for forcing the driving discs against the driven disc with a pressure sufficient to drive the engine, said means being constructed so as to relieve the pressure of the priving discs on the driven disc when the engine becomes self-operative.

20. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaftJ of the starting motor, and one of said discs being splined to the shaft, means independent of the motor for causing the other driving disc to rotate relative to the shaft and cam and follower means interconnecting the driving discs so constructed and arranged that rotation of said other driving disc by said independent means causes both driving discsl to engage the driven disc prior to operation of the starting motor, and motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient to drive the engine shaft.

21. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, and one of said discs being splined to the shaft, means independent of the motor for causing the other driving disc to rotate relative to the shaft, cam and followermeans interconnecting the driving discs so constructed and arranged that rotation of said other driving disc by said independent means causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc prior` to operation of the starting motor, and motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient to drive the engine shaft, said means being construed so as to release the driving discs from the driven disc when the engine runs under its own power.

22. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving dises adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageabie with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, a sieeve carrying one driving disc and splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying another driving disc, a cam and follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disci with pressure sufficient for driving engagement and means independent of the starting motor for causing the first sleeve to rotate.

23. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, and engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc, means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transmitting provisions for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc and means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure sufficient for driving engagement.

24. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, and engageable with opposite faces of the driven disc, means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transmitting provisions for causing the driving discs to engage the driven disc, means responsive to the operation of the motor for causing the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with a pressure sufcient for driving engagementy and means whereby said pressure is relieved when the engine becomes self-operative.

25. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be driven by the starting motor and engageable with a driven disc connected to the engine shaft, said driving discs being slidably supported by the driving shaft of the starting motor, and one of said discs being splined to the shaft, means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transmitting connections for causing the other driving disc to rotate relative to the shaft, and cam and follower means interconecting vthe driving discs so constructed and arranged that rotation of said other driving disc by said independent means causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc prior to motor operation, and motor operation causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure suicient for driving engagement.

26. An engine starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting. motor having a driving shaft and comprising', a pair of driving discs adapted to be mounted on the motor shaft and to cooperate with a driven disc having an axis parallel to the axis of the motor shaft, said driving discs being slidable on the motor shaft, a sleeve carrying one disc and adapted to be splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, a cam and follower conection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure sufficient for driving engagement, and means independent of the motor and including yielding motion transmitting provisions for causing the first sleeve to rotate.

2'?.` An engine starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, a pair of driving discs adapted to be mounted on the motor shaft and to cooperate with a driven disc having an axis parallel to the axis of the motor shaft, said driving discs being y slidable on the motor shaft, a sleeve carrying one disc and adapted to be splined to the shaft, a spring urging said sleeve in a direction such as to maintain said driving disc normally out of engagement with the driven disc, a second sleeve mounted on the irst sleeve and carrying the other driving dise, a cam and follower connection between said sleeves such that rotation of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the driving discs to be pressed against the driven disc with pressure suflicent for driving engagement, a collar surrounding the second sleeve, a connection between said collar and second sleeve, a spring surrounding said second sleeve and positioned between the collar and the sleeve, a connection between said collar and second sleeve such thataxial movement of the collar effects rotation of the second sleeve and means including yielding motion transmitting provisions for moving the collar axially.

2S. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, two axially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven disc connected with the engine shaft, means adapted to positively connect one of said driving discs with the motor shaft, and means interconnecting the two discs so constructed and arranged that rotation in a certain direction of the disc not positively connected with the motor shaft relative to the other disc causes both driving discs to engage Athe driven disc and that the tendency of the jpositively connected driving disc to rotate ahead motor, will cause both driving discs to be urged :against the driven disc with pressure sufficient .for engine starting purposes and that this presfsure Will be relieved when the engine starts, and .means for effecting rotation of the disc which :is not adapted to be positively connected to the motor shaft in said certain direction relative tc :the other driving disc.

29. A starter drive for internal combustion engines adapted to be associated with a starting motor having a driving shaft and comprising, two axially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven disc connected with the engine shaft, a sleeve supporting one of the discs and adapted to be splined to the motor shaft, a second sleeve rotatable and slidable on the first sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, and means interconnecting the two sleeves so constructed and arranged that rotation in a certain direction of the second sleeve relative to the rst sleeve causes both driving discs to engage the driven disc and that the tendency of the first sleeve to rotate ahead of the second sleeve, when driven by the motor, will cause both driving discs to be urged against the driven disc with sufficient pressure for engine starting purposes and that this pressure will be relieved when the engine starts, and means for effecting rotation of the second sleeve in said certain direction relative to the first sleeve.

30. For use in an engine starting apparatus having a starting motor adapted to operate the engine to be started, a starter drive through which the starting motor operates the engine and having, in combination, two axially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven disc connected with the engine, means for positively connecting one of the driving discs with the starting motor, and means interconnecting the two driving discs so constructed and arranged that the tendency of the driving disc positively connected with the motor to rotate, when driven by the motor, ahead of the other driving disc will cause both driving discs to be urged against said driven disc with pressure surlicient for engine starting purposes, and that this pressure will be relieved when the engine starts, said starter drive having means adapted to be acted upon by a force other than that of the starting motor to eiect an initial movement of the driving discs for engagement with the driven disc.

3l. For use in an engine starting apparatus having a starting motor adapted to operate the engine to be started, a starter drive through which the starting motor operates the engine and having, in combination, twoaxially movable driving discs adapted to engage opposite sides of a driven drisc connected with the engine, a sleeve splinedly connected with the shaft of the starting motor and carrying one of the driving discs, a second sleeve rotatable and slidable upon the rst sleeve and carrying the other driving disc, and means interconnecting the two sleeves so constructed and arranged that the tendency of the first sleeve to rotate, when driven by the motor, ahead of the second sleeve Will cause both driving discs to be urged against said driven disc with pressure sufficient for engine starting purposes, and that this pressure will be relieved when the engine starts, said starter drive having means adapted to be acted upon by a force other than that of the starting motor to eiect an initial movement of the driving discs for engagement with the driven disc.

JOI-IN B. DYER. 

